Sun Safety Policy. SunSmart UV Alert:

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Mae Gaines
5 years ago
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1 Sun Safety Plicy Australia has the highest rate f skin cancer in the wrld. Research has indicated that yung children and babies have sensitive skin that places them at particular risk f sunburn and skin damage. Expsure during the first 15 years f life can greatly increase the risk f develping skin cancer in later life. Early Childhd Services play a majr rle in minimising a child s UV expsure as children attend during times when UV radiatin levels are highest. It s imprtant t have a healthy balance f ultravilet radiatin (UV) expsure. T much f the sun s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. Overexpsure t UV during childhd and adlescence is a majr factr in determining future skin cancer risk. T little UV frm the sun can lead t lw vitamin D levels. Sme sun expsure is imprtant fr vitamin D which is essential fr healthy bnes and muscles, and fr general health. But t much sun can cause skin and eye damage and skin cancer. Sun expsure during childhd and adlescence is a majr factr in determining future skin cancer risk. Brunswick Crèche has a duty f care t ensure that all persns are prvided with a high level f sun prtectin during the hurs f the centre s peratin. It is understd by educatr, children and families that there is a shared respnsibility between the centre and ther parents that the Sun Prtectin Plicy and prcedures are accepted as a high pririty. In meeting the centre s duty f care, it is a requirement under the Wrk Health & Safety Act that management and educatr implement and endrse the centre s Sun Prtectin Plicy, and ensure a level f prtectin t all persns wh access the centre s facilities and/r prgrams. This SunSmart Plicy has been develped t: Ensure all children and educatrs get sme UV fr vitamin D. Encurage children and educatrs t use a cmbinatin f sun prtectin measures whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and abve t minimise skin and eye damage and skin cancer risk. Wrk twards a safe utdr envirnment that prvides shade fr children and educatrs at apprpriate times. Assist children t be respnsible fr their wn sun prtectin. Ensure that families and new educatrs are infrmed f the centre s sun prtectin plicy. Educatr WHS and Rle mdelling As part f WHS UV risk cntrls and rle-mdelling, when the UV is 3 and abve educatrs: Wear sun prtective hats, clthing and sunglasses when utside Apply SPF 30+ r Higher brad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen Seek shade whenever pssible Families and visitrs are requested t use a cmbinatin f sun prtectin measures (sun prtective clthing and hats, shade, sunglasses and sunscreen) when attending the centre. Managing the physical envirnment Educatrs are encuraged t access the SunSmart UV Alert at sunsmart.cm.au t find ut daily lcal sun prtectin times t assist with the implementatin f this plicy. We use a cmbinatin f sun prtectin measures fr all utdr activities frm September t the end f April and whenever UV levels reach 3 and abve, the level that can damage skin and eyes. SunSmart UV Alert: Time f UV radiatin expsure Frm September t April in Victria When UV index levels reach 3 and abve, a cmbinatin f sun prtectin measure are used whenever utdrs including: Plicy & Prcedures Manual February 2017

2 Maintaining hydratin levels Infants and children s bdy/water rati mass is significantly different than frm adults, therefre the risk fr dehydratin frm utdr play and ht weather is high and can be dangerus. Water will be ffered t children thrughut the day regardless f indr r utdr play settings. Children are able t bring in water bttles frm hme and are encuraged t access water t drink thrughut the day. Families Sun safety infrmatin will be displayed n ntice bards. Families will be encuraged t implement the centre s sun prtectin behaviurs and practices when engaged in centre experiences and excursins. Fr example, parents must wear a sun prtective hat when vlunteering n excursins. Frm May t August in Victria When average UV index levels are belw 3, sun prtectin measures are nt used frm May until August unless in alpine regins, near highly reflective surfaces such as snw r utside fr extended perids Prtective Behaviurs and Practices Our Service will wrk in cllabratin with the VIC SunSmart Prgram t ensure children s health and safety is maintained at all times whilst at the service. We will use the SunSmart UV Index tl t ensure we are prtecting children and staff frm UV radiatin. The UV Index will be used when: Planning r participating in utdr activities Undertaking recreatinal activities fr example munch and mve 1. Outdr Activities The Service will use a cmbinatin f sun prtectin measures whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and abve. This will include: Frm Octber t March sun prtectin is required at all times. Extra sun prtectin is needed between 11am and 3pm and during this perid utdr activities shuld be minimised. Minimising utdr activities includes reducing bth the number f times (frequency) and the length f time (duratin) children are utside. Frm April t September (excluding June and July) utdr activity can take place at any time. Hwever, frm 10am 2pm sun prtectin is required. In June and July when the UV index is mstly belw 3, sun prtectin is nt required. Extra care is needed fr services in the far west and nrth f NSW and fr all children wh have very fair skin. All sun prtectin measures (including recmmended utdr times, shade, hat, clthing and sunscreen) will be cnsidered when planning excursins and incursins. Educatrs cntinuing t check the UV rating prir t ging utdrs and as the heat increases thrughut the day. 2. Shade The centre will prvide and maintain adequate shade fr utdr play. Shade ptins can include a cmbinatin f prtable, natural and built shade. All utdr activities will be planned t ccur in shaded areas. Play activities will be set up in the shade and mved thrughut the day t take advantage f shade patterns. The Centre will prvide and maintain adequate shade fr utdr play. Shade ptins can include a cmbinatin f prtable, natural and built shade. Regular shade assessments shuld be cnducted t mnitr existing shade structures and assist in planning fr additinal shade 3. Hats Educatrs and children are required t wear sun safe hats that prtect their face, neck and ears. Plicy & Prcedures Manual February 2017

3 A sun safe hat is: Leginnaire hat. Bucket hat with a deep crwn and brim size f at least 5cm (adults 6cm). Brad brimmed hat with a brim size f at least 6cm (adults 7.5cm). Due t the risk f children becming entangled in hat crds and chking, the centre recmmends that the crds are remved frm hats. Children withut a sun safe hat will be asked t play in an area prtected frm the sun (e.g. under shade, veranda r indrs) Therefre, children withut hats will be restricted t shaded areas when utdrs if children cannt be supervised indrs Spare hats may be available fr children wh d nt have a hat. The centre will ensure that hats are laundered after each use t minimise crss infectin (fr example, head lice). Please nte: Baseball caps r visrs are nt sun safe because they d nt prvide enugh sun prtectin. 4. Clthing When utdrs, educatrs, vlunteers, students and children will wear sun safe clthing that cvers as much f the skin (especially the shulders, back and stmach) as pssible This includes: Lse fitting and clsely wven fabrics assist in prtecting children frm expsure t the sun. Dark clured clthing that is made frm cl, densely wven fabric. It is recmmended that shirts have a cllar t prtect the nape f the neck and lng sleeves. Lnger style tps, shrts and trusers are acceptable items f clthing t prtect children frm the sun. Please nte: Sleeveless shirts, dresses and singlets are nt cnsidered as apprpriate clthing t prtect children frm the sun. Children may need t change their clthing r nt allwed t access utdr play. 5. Sunglasses Children wh chse t wear sunglasses will be encuraged t wear clse fitting, wraparund sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard 1067 (Sunglasses: Categry 2,3 r 4), are preferable marked eye prtectin factr 10, cver as much f the eye area as pssible and have sft elastic t keep them in place. 6. Sunscreen Educatrs and children will apply SPF30+ brad-spectrum water-resistant Sunscreen 20 minutes befre ging utdrs and reapply every 2 hurs. Sunscreen will be stred in a cl, dry place and the use-by-date mnitred. Authrisatin t apply Sunscreen will be btained frm parents. Children and babies may nt be able t play Outside if we are nt authrised t apply sunscreen Sunscreen must be applied at least 20 minutes befre cmmencing utdr play and reapplied every tw hurs, (r as per manufacturer s instructins). Parents must apply sunscreen t children befre drp ff at crèche. Sme children may present an allergic reactin t sunscreen. In this situatin, the centre will stp applying the sunscreen, ntify the family and request that a hypallergenic sunscreen be supplied by the family fr the child t use. Frm 3 years f age, children are encuraged t apply their wn sunscreen under the supervisin f educatrs 7. Babies (under 12 Mnths) When UV levels reach 3 r abve babies will nt be expsed t direct UV and they will be kept in the shade at all times. Their skin will always be well prtected. They will wear sun safe hats and clthing and small amunts f SPF30+ brad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen may be applied t their expsed skin. Plicy & Prcedures Manual February 2017

4 The Australasian Cllege f Dermatlgists des nt recmmend the widespread regular use f chemical sunscreens in very yung babies (less than six mnths f age), as they absrb mre f any chemical applied t the skin than adults. Sunscreens shuld be applied t areas f the skin nt prtected by clthing. The American Academy f Pediatrics has stated that sunscreens may be used n infants yunger than six mnths n small areas f skin if adequate clthing and shade are nt available. Surce: Cancer Cuncil Australia 8. Rle Mdelling Children learn thrugh example and rle mdeling is an imprtant strategy in children s centre s t Maintain quality standards. Educatr, students and vlunteers must cmply with the Sun Prtectin Plicy as per Occupatinal Health & Safety Act Educatrs and staff will act as rle mdels and demnstrate sun safe behaviur by: Wearing a sun safe hat (see Hats) Wearing sun safe clthing (see Clthing) Applying SPF30+ brad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes befre ging utdrs and reapplying every 2 hurs Using and prmting shade Wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard Families and visitrs are encuraged t rle mdel psitive sun safe behaviur. 9. Educatin and Infrmatin Sun prtectin will be incrprated regularly int learning prgrams. Sun prtectin infrmatin will be prmted t educatrs, families and visitrs. Further infrmatin is available frm the Cancer Cuncil website Plicy Availability The sun prtectin plicy, updates and requirements (including hat, clthing and sunscreen) will be made available t educatrs and staff, families and visitrs in ur Parent Handbk and thrugh ther Centre cmmunicatins. 11. Review The Nminated Supervisr will mnitr and review the effectiveness f ur sun prtectin plicy regularly, a+t least nce every 12 mnths. Surce: The Cancer Cuncil f Victria Educatin and Care Services Natinal Regulatins 2011, Early Years Learning Framewrk, Natinal Quality Standard, Occupatinal Health & Safety Act 2004, Cancer Cuncil VIC Sample Sun Prtectin Plicy Children's Services Act 1996, Supervisin in Children's Services. Putting Children First, the Newsletter f the Natinal Childcare Accreditatin Cuncil (NCAC) Issue 15, p Date Implemented: 16/04/2012 Review Cmpleted: 21/02/2017 Schedule fr Review: 21/02/2018 Natinal Quality Standard NQS Quality Area 2: Children s Health and Safety 2.1 Each child s health is prmted Each child s health needs are supprted 2.3 Each child is prtected Children are adequately supervised at all times Every reasnable precautin is taken t prtect Children frm harm and any hazard likely t cause injury Plicy & Prcedures Manual February 2017

5 Educatin and Care Service Natinal Regulatins 113 Outdr space natural envirnment 114 Outdr space shade 168 Educatin and care service must have plicies and prcedures Plicy & Prcedures Manual February 2017

Here Comes the Sun: Sunscreen 101. By Margeaux Amerine, Pharm.D. Sunscreen should be worn every day, regardless of the weather or

Here Comes the Sun: Sunscreen 101. By Margeaux Amerine, Pharm.D. Sunscreen should be worn every day, regardless of the weather or Here Cmes the Sun: Sunscreen 101 By Margeaux Amerine, Pharm.D. Sunscreen shuld be wrn every day, regardless f the weather r seasn. Sun expsure ccurs all day lng, thrugh cluds, thrugh regular glass windws